Heels still strong with Miller

Mac Heffner, Inside Carolina

12/18/2002

Last week North Carolina got the news that it had missed on reeling in one of two big fish at the linebacker position from Cerritos Community College. While linebacker Justin Burks said no to UNC and chose Arizona State, the Tar Heels are hopeful that they can still hook the other big fish from Cerritos.

Marcus Miller, one of the top linebackers in the JUCO ranks, still has North Carolina in his top three and just took an official visit to Kansas State.

"It was pretty good and I was impressed," he said. "It's a football town and it bleeds purple all over the town there. "

Miller didn't expect the trip to go the way it did, and now has KSU in his top three also. Oregon is the third team and Miller will visit the Ducks on January 10.

"I'm not sure [when I will decide]; I haven't tried to set a time frame. I have to get my full view or understanding of each school that I am looking at. I want to see what the rest of the schools have to offer."

North Carolina coach John Bunting also visited Miller for an in-home visit.

"Coach Bunting came personally. We talked about everything and I understand the need there. From what I know, I will fit in great there. He is a stand up guy and my mom likes him a lot."

Miller said he was not totally surprised that Burks picked the Sun Devils instead of the Tar Heels.

"[Burks] wants to stay close to home, that was the closest he was going get. We are two different people. Justin has to do what's best for him and I have to do what is best for me. He is still my boy."

Outside Miller's top three, a number of schools are fighting to fill his final two visits. Several teams from the Big Ten, Big 12 and the MAC conferences are courting Miller.
After the visit to Kansas State things are not any clearer for Miller.

"It's a tough decision. They [KSU and UNC] are both kind of the same. UNC is more of a mix [of football and basketball]; the scenery is a little better [in Chapel Hill]. It's tough to line them up. I still have a couple of trips left. I was expecting something different, it was better than I thought. I was thinking about the whole Wizard of Oz scenario and you know Dorothy out there in Kansas."

Miller says he has gotten used to all the attention and calls from coaches and the media.

"I have learned to adjust, at first it was hectic. It can be overwhelming. I just deal with it and I know what is going on. It can be crazy. Coaches will be on the phone and I will get another call and it's another coach from another school. I have learned to deal with it."

Another plus unknown to Miller about Kansas State before his visit was the quality of fishing, which is his favorite hobby.

"I guess Manhattan is known for good fishing. They have a pretty big lake near campus and some people were fishing for walleye and bass there. I figured there would be a lake but I didn't think it would be a place known for fishing. I thought it was all tumbleweed and flatland."